The Vampire Lestat

The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

OK, this is a re-read that we did via audiobook and is, I think the first time that I am circling back to this book. Admittedly, the driver was to “prepare” for the next season of the TV show and refresh my memory. I think I read this book originally in high school, maybe? I’ve got to say, while I remembered the broad strokes of this book, so much happened in the series to the point I read it that I definitely did not recall “this” Lestat at all.

I’m leaving my rating at 4 stars from my original because, yes, this is a good book, but woah I’m not sure current day Carrie would have loved it as much without the film of nostalgia layered on top of it. To start, it takes a while (after the intro) to get to vampires. We spend a lot of time in the past with Lestat as a human. Was this more enjoyable to me the first time because I had only known him from the Interview with the Vampire portrayal? Who can say. I’m very conflicted about not enjoying this bit more.

I won’t do the whole summary of the book thing I usually do, but will say that there is a very short portion at the start in “current day” and then another small portion at the end in the same time period, but the majority of the book takes place before Interview’s events and there is a ton of history. History of all the characters, backstories building out for everyone. The through line here is - Lestat ruins everything. I found it amusing that every single establishment that he stumbles upon he leaves in ruin. Knowing where things meander along the way, it’s astonishing that he “lucks” into so much power and love without even really trying. Are there “Dresden” level of damage taken? Sure, Lestat gets hurt emotionally and physically on his journey, but ultimately he is living up to his spoiled brat image that is how I remember him.

I gotta say that these books feel harder upon re-read. I’m not sure I would have continued without a high schooler’s drive to dive into vampire lore further, or with the TV show making me think back fondly on this series.

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